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Night train likely from Rameswaram to Tiruchi

RAMANATHAPURAM: Southern Railway might resume a night train from Rameswaram to Tiruchi, according to Minister of State for Railways R. Velu.

Flagging off the Rameswaram-Okha weekly express at Rameswaram on Saturday, Mr. Velu said that he had received several memorandums from people’s representatives for resuming the train service, which would be a connecting train for the Pallavan Express at Tiruchi. He had asked officials to consider the demand.

He said the Madurai-Manmad weekly express would benefit pilgrims wishing to visit temples at Tirupati, Rameswaram and Madurai. The decision to extend the service was taken when he visited Dwaraka, where a large number of people asked him to operate a train to Rameswaram.

Mr. Velu said a survey had been undertaken to lay railway track from Karaikudi, Ramanathapuram, Sayalkudi and Tuticorin. A sum of Rs.14 crore had been sanctioned for creating additional pit lines and other infrastructural works at the Rameswaram station.

Stating that the last five years were a golden period in the Railways history, Mr. Velu said it had earned a profit of Rs.80,000 crore.

He had fulfilled the commitment given to the people of Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Velu said balancing work had been undertaken in the Pamban bridge to strengthen it. It could facilitate operation of goods trains.